People living with motor neurone disease (MND) can now create bespoke digital artwork through an artificial intelligence (AI) art platform which harnesses the power of eye-gaze technology.
Budding artists can quickly create and share bespoke artwork with just a few clicks by using the Mind’s Eye platform, which has given new opportunities for people with limited mobility to unleash their artistic talent.
As well as sharing creations with friends and family, the tool can offer an alternative way of communicating and expressing thoughts and feelings.
Organisations Area 23 – An IPG Health Company, Smartbox, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals, Deep AI and the MND Association were involved in the project, and members of the MND community had the chance to trial and test the app ahead of launch.
The platform is designed to be approachable for art novices, but have enough variability to allow for more in-depth creation for experienced users.
Mike Small, who is living with MND, tested Mind’s Eye and provided feedback after using the software in everyday life.
He said: “Although MND has robbed me of my talking I get to talk in other ways.
“I can type with my eyes, I can draw, I can paint whatever I like in whatever style I like. They say a picture says a thousand words. How about a million? This is what Mind’s Eye is helping me to do every day.”
Nick Goldup, director of care improvement at the MND Association, said: “There have been so many impressive technological advances to help people living with MND connect with their friends and family, and Mind’s Eye takes things to the next level, going beyond function and making fun and joy more accessible.
“Mind’s Eye helps people living with MND illustrate their conversations so they can more accurately and creatively express themselves.
“We’re so proud to add Mind’s Eye to the broad range of collaborative and imaginative projects created by incredible organisations within the MND Association’s NextGen Think Tank.”
“It was important that we were listening to the ALS and MND community, and not just telling them how to use this technology,” said Tim Hawkey, chief creative officer of AREA 23 and McCann Health NY.
“We conducted working sessions within the community thanks to the MND Association, and heard their desire to more accurately express what they felt and have an outlet to unleash their imagination.
“So, we helped them illustrate their conversations – the good, the bad and everything in-between. Create art for therapeutic purposes, or just for art’s sake. And some just wanted to have fun and we were thrilled to be able to give that opportunity to them.”
Mind’s Eye is currently available on Smartbox Grid Pad devices and apps as a free grid set download.
Find out how to get started on the Mind’s Eye website: https://minds-eye.app/home/
